April 17, 2026 
6 mins to read When we make a list of the best countries for a gap year, working in Bulgaria is always in our minds. This Balkan country is affordable, beautiful and eventful. From city life in Sofia to amazing nature and the best beaches. Bulgaria has it all. In this blog we tell you more about working in Bulgaria.
Why work in Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is a country in Southeastern Europe. The country has around 7 million inhabitants, with capital Sofia as the biggest city with around 1 million inhabitants. With its hot and pleasant summers (25–35°C), Bulgaria is a very popular tourist destination.
Bulgaria doesn’t have the sexy appeal which destinations like Spain, Portugal or Malta might have. But we think it is a real underrated destination. And a big part of that is the job part. Bulgaria has a growing job market. Particularly in Customer support, IT and tech, and finance you can find a lot of job opportunities. And the best part is that for most of these jobs you can use your native language. You can expect this for the average salary for the most regular expat jobs in Bulgaria:
- IT / Tech: €2,000– €3,500
- Marketing / Content: €1,500–€2,500
- Customer Support: €1,000–€1,500
- Tourism / Hospitality: €900–€1,300 (especially for seasonal or entry-level roles)
Make sure to check out the jobs we offer in Bulgaria, so you give yourself a shot in living and working in this country as well!
Visa and work requirements
Bulgaria is part of the EU, which makes working there easy for EU-citizens. You do not need a work visa or work permit, and you can freely start living and working in Bulgaria. If you are staying longer than 3 months, you only need to register and obtain a residence certificate.
Other things you need to fix
There are some other things you need to fix before you start living and working in Bulgaria. Make sure you register and receive your VAT number. You need this for tax registration. Also fix your EGN. This is your personal number, which you need for basically everything in Bulgaria. Next, look into healthcare. You can choose between public healthcare and private.
After fixing these essentials, it’s also very important to open up a Bulgarian bank account. You need this for salary payments. And finally, get a Bulgarian SIM card. This makes phone conversations and text messages so much easier and cheaper.
Cost of living in Bulgaria
One of the extra reasons why you should consider living and working in Bulgaria is that it is one of the cheaper destinations in Europe. These are the average costs of living for expats in Bulgaria:
Rent
Just as with any other destination, rent is the highest factor within your budget. But here’s the good news: rent in Bulgaria is relatively cheap. You can rent an apartment on your own or with your partner, but you could also choose to rent a room in a shared apartment. This way you can meet new people and share the rent, which makes it cheaper. Expect this for the average monthly rental costs in Bulgaria:
- 1-bedroom apartment in the city center: €400-€600
- 1-bedroom apartment outside the city center: €300-€450
- Room in a shared apartment: €150-€300
Food and drinks
For some people eating and drinking is a necessary evil, but we think it’s something you will really enjoy in Bulgaria. We give you the prices for the most common foods and drinks in the country:
- Groceries: €180-€280 a month
- Meal in an inexpensive restaurant: €5-€10
- Street food: €1-€3
- Coffee in a café: €1-€1,50
- 0.5L Beer in a bar: €1,50-€2,50
Transport
Getting around in Bulgaria is also cheap. In the bigger cities like Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna you can find affordable buses, trams and in Sofia even a metro system. A single ticket will cost you around €0,80-€1,60, while a monthly pass will range from €25 to €40.
Other fun activities
Of course you want to more than live in an apartment, eat and drink, and get around. You want to have fun while living and working in Bulgaria. We list the best things you can do in your spare time in Bulgaria, with the costs that come with those activities:
- Cinema ticket: €5-€8
- Bowling: €5-€10
- Concert: €10-€30
- Gym membership: €20-€40 a month
- Spa day: €15-€30
So whether you are a gym freak, movie lover or spa enjoyer, you can maintain an active social life in Bulgaria for well under €100 per month.
Living and working in Bulgaria: What to expect
We think life in Bulgaria is amazing, so at the end of this blog it is time to convince you of that. An overview of the best things this country has to offer:
Nature
One of the biggest pros is that you are always close to nature in Bulgaria. Whether it’s a mountain hike, a beach day or a picnic in a beautiful park, you don’t have to travel long to get to nature. Studies have shown that being in nature is good for your mental health. So living in Bulgaria is like free therapy!
Traditions and festivals
There are some very distinctive cultural events that happen every year in Bulgaria, like these two:
- The Rose Festival; they celebrate rose oil production in the Valley of Roses
- Kukeri Festival; costumed rituals meant to scare away evil spirits
Visiting these festivals gives you an insight in Bulgarian culture, but it’s also an experience on its own. Next to this, you can also party hard in Bulgaria. Especially in the bigger cities you can find amazing clubs and pubs where you can dance and drink with friends all night long.
History and heritage
Bulgaria sits at a crossroads of civilizations, and it shows. You’ll find layers of Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influence almost everywhere. If you are a history lover, make sure to visit the city of Plovdiv at least once. This one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, and it has a Roman theater that is still in use.
All of these things make Bulgaria a great country to live in. But as you have read in this blog, working in Bulgaria will also be very good for you! So are you ready to live a great life, boost your CV and develop yourself in all sorts of ways? Don’t wait and apply for a job abroad in Bulgaria.
